I'm having a rollin shower installed with a cultured marble shower base. The bathroom floor will be tile. I'm concerned about water getting on the floor and specifically about water leaking through the grout between the cultured mable base and the first row of floor tiles. I was thinking a membrane under the floor tiles might be good, but how would you do it with a cultured mable shower base? How would it drain? Should I be thinking of a differnt shower base?

 

rollin shower? Spelled right? Is ti supposed to start out with "R"? is ti supposed to be rolling? ???????

I can't see how your situation is any more of a concern than anyone else who has tile on their bathroom floor, actually. Caulk the joint and keep the grout lines sealed.

 

Sorry I forgot the -, as in roll-in, as in zero threshold, as in ADA compliant, as in wheelchair accesible. I wasn't being very clear.

The issue I been told is that there can be quite a bit of water ending up on the bathrrom floor. My question is how big a concern is this and how to properly deal with it.

 

Not familiar with this at all. If there is no...curb?...then how is the pitch made to the drain? Does it sit down in the floor...the part that would pitch to the drain? Is there a shower curtain or some glass shower door?

But regardless. I can't imagine the problem becauwe there are completely open showers in fitness centers, gyms, etc., that the water sprays all over the tile and grout. If you have any joint that you are afraid of that could have water get under it, then I would actually try to "sandwich" silicone caulk in there upon installation of the bottom of the shower. Sandwiching technique is more long lasting effective (like a gasket) than surface caulking alone, that can peel off or otherwise get damaged by various causes...even from cleaning.

 

Ive built a few showers like this, but never with a "cultered marble shower pan". I haven't seen shower pans that you can buy like this with no curb/dam but I guess they must make them. This is normally done by making a custom shower pan where the pan liner (or even better kerdi) is extended out onto the floor several feet. Kerdi is ideal for this, because it can meet up with ditra on the floor outside the shower and the joint can be waterproofed with kerdi band. See the link below for Scluter Ditra and Kerdi. I dont know how you will be successful in using a prefab pan and getting the joint where the pan ends and the floor begins waterproof.

http://www.schluter.com/english/products/2002/sectionf/overview-f/section-f.html

If you build a traditional mud shower floor with pan liner, you will have to extend the liner out onto the floor and the mud bed over it 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" thick. This will create more height than the kerdi shower will.

Is the area where the shower will go already framed lower than the rest of the floor to allow for the slope to the drain?

 

Thanks for the feedback. You've confirmed my fears.

The existing floor is being ripped out, so I can do what you suggest. I read in the archives how to make the sub-floor level with the top of the joists. I think I'll use 2 drains, one in the shower proper and another just outside in the sink area so I can get the correct slope without adding too much height to the floor.

Thanks again

 

Go with the kerdi shower. Its perfect for your application. Good Luck.

 

I'm new to the site and was hoping to find information on this type of shower design. I'm still in the design/build phase of my powder room renovation into a full bath w/handicapp access. The space for the shower is 44" x 6' and was planning on glass seamless door. The information you suggested sounds like a great plan. I'm in central jersey, any major suppliers locally or is it a on-line order special? thanks for info

 

Sammy - not aware of any suppliers. I have read recommendations AGAINST glass shower doors. The objections seem to the frame/track at the bottom could be difficult to cross for some disabled people and the space required for the doors to swing open. I'm the first to admit that glass doors look great and if they don't cause you any difficulties, go for it. Certainly solves the water spray on the floor problem. - A

 

Your not the first to mention the problem with the glass doors-I'm aware of the potential hazards of broken glass, even tempered glass. But I'm hoping to have the door swing above the floor so a track wouldn't be needed to ride on or sit on but I haven't explored it completely yet. So any advise will be well appreciative. The biggest problem is not being able to find many designs or baths actually done all ready with the roll-in floor, no curb effect. Have you come across any? All the publications on bath redos mention them but don't have many photos-at least the main pubs on the newstands- thanks

 

You can get kerdi and ditra from many tile supply houses. Also you can get it at Home Depot, only alot of the sales people dont know it. Ive seen some HD's stock ditra, but havent seen them stock kerdi. Kerdi is a special order at HD so you have to ask sale people there and push them a little. Check out the Schluter website to see exactly what you will need. There are also some websites that you can purchase Schluter products from.

 

Wow, you really should try johnbridge.com/vbulletin for better answers. If you can't get good advice here about ADA roll in/out showers here look for a more specific forum.

Basically you will need a recessed shower base. Either formed out in the slab or formed out or cut out in a wood subfloor. This may require notching joists in a wood floor. Your best bet if subfloor height is an issue is to use Schluters, Kerdi membrane and Ditra for the rest of the bath floor. You will need to seal the 2 surfaces with either cut Kerdi or Kerdi band. You may need to waterproof your entire bathroom floor surface. Of course this will require the use of a Kerdi drain also.

For an ADA shower, you can use a hump, something like a speed bump as a shower transition for easier wheel chair access but there are still several issues to consider. Be leary of advice that has no idea of how to accomplish a curbless or ADA bath/shower. It is very specific.